Changes needed to SailGP format

Established in 2018, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric inshore racing in some of the iconic harbors around the globe. Rival national teams compete in identical F50 catamarans with the season culminating with a $1 million winner-takes-all match race.

Well-funded by billionaire Larry Ellison and orchestrated by Russell Coutts, SailGP is rooted in the lessons these two learned while seeking to expand the audience during the 2013 and 2017 America’s Cup. With free reign on format, SailGP is out to prove sailing can have a widely watched commercially successful sporting event.

Great… but the clock is ticking.

Now in its second season, the initial plan for the competing teams was for them to become independently funded after five years. Ellison’s investment had limits, and for the eight teams, they needed to secure sponsorship or get replaced.

The SailGP Season 2 Schedule has nine events, and after already competing in the Bermuda and Italy, the show moves to Great Britain on July 17-18. How’s it going? Here’s the view of Bill Canfield, President of the Virgin Islands Sailing Association:

I love SailGP but I’m quite worried the product will fail without the generosity of Mr. Ellison’s vast wealth to prop it up. Two areas for change include sailing time and makeup of teams.

The regattas must be extended to two weekends at each destination. In Plymouth they are facing a poor forecast with light air both days. To help the F50s foil, the unpopular call of reducing crew from five to three will be needed. All events this year have faced similar forecasts. The movement of 85 equipment containers around the world, and a two week set up for the event, deserves two shots at good breeze and exciting sailing.

Additionally, the original SailGP concept was “nation against nation” with strict rules about home-grown sailors competing against one another. This strongly popular idea, with some exceptions for weaker sailing countries to develop their team, has been abandoned. Why? I believe to include so-called sailing “rockstars” on each team. However, the “rockstar” additions are recognized by very few fans and the popular country vs country rivalry is gone along with fan interest. I believe overall popularity is suffering this year for this reason.

There is still time for these changes to be considered for the good of SailGP ability to stand on its own and increase fan base.

Editor’s note: The United States SailGP Team began with 100% nationality but had been restructured in 2021, and the 6-person sailing team roster now includes Australian Jimmy Spithill as helm, Brit Paul Campbeill-James as wing trimmer, and Kiwi-born Antiguan Alex Sinclair as grinder.

SailGP Season Championship (after 2 events)
1. Spain, 16 points
2. Great Britain, 15
3. Japan, 14
4. New Zealand, 13
5. France, 12
6. Australia, 12
7. United States, 11
8. Denmark, 11

SailGP information – Plymouth details – Facebook

How to watch – Results – Noticeboard

Format for SailGP events:
• Each event runs across two days.
• There are three races on each day, totaling six races at each event.
• The opening five fleet races involve every team.
• The final match race pits the three highest ranking teams against each other to be crowned event champion.
• The season ends with the Grand Final, which includes the Championship Final Race – a winner-takes-all match race for the $1m prize.

SailGP Season 2 Schedule*
April 24-25, 2021 – Bermuda Grand Prix
June 5-6, 2021 – Italy Grand Prix – Taranto
July 17-18, 2021 – Great Britain Grand Prix – Plymouth
August 20-21, 2021 – ROCKWOOL Denmark Grand Prix – Aarhus
September 11-12, 2021 – France Grand Prix – Saint-Tropez
October 9-10, 2021 – Spain Grand Prix – Andalusia
December 17-18, 2021 – Australia Grand Prix – Sydney
January 29-30, 2022 – New Zealand Grand Prix – Christchurch
March 26-27, 2022 – United States Grand Prix – San Francisco (Season 2 Grand Final)
*Subject to change

2021-22 Teams, Helm
Australia, Tom Slingsby
Denmark, Nicolai Sehested
France, Billy Besson
Great Britain, Ben Ainslie (alternate – Paul Goodison)
Japan, Nathan Outteridge
New Zealand, Peter Burling (alternate – Arnaud Psarofaghis)
Spain, Jordi Xammar (alternate – Phil Robertson)
United States, Jimmy Spithill

Established in 2018, SailGP seeks to be an annual, global sports league featuring fan-centric inshore racing in some of the iconic harbors around the globe. Rival national teams compete in identical F50 catamarans with the season culminating with a $1 million winner-takes-all match race.

Source: SailGP